Dark Forces (Kyle Katarn!) story revived, 9/18/05

[xwing_original]

I had kinda thrown out the idea before that once I finished The New Jedi Order: Aftermath I'd be finished with fanfic...but I can't help myself. I'm a writing addict.

Kyle Katarn has been one of my favorite characters in the EU, despite how little he's been used. Other than the horrible (IMO) Soldier for the Empire, Rebel Agent, and Jedi Knight, his deeds haven't really been chronicled. (While I'd like to re-write that trilogy, that's a task I'm not ready to tackle.)

The few of us who still play the old Dark Forces game always believed that if Kyle's activities in shutting down the Dark Trooper project were properly novelized, he as a character would receive a little more of the respect he deserves. So, with that, I give you my version of Dark Forces...in text.

(Oh, by the way-if any of you are still interested in the old Dark Forces PC/Mac/Playstation game, or are just feeling nostalgic in general, check out www.df-21.net for the only DF site that's still real active.)


Prologue: Dark Test

A powerful Imperial flotilla orbited an insignificant mid-Rim colony world. Called Talari by its citizens, the planet was almost featureless, save the small capital city of Talay. Neither the planet nor the city had any long-term strategic value in the civil war that wracked the galaxy. In spite of that, the Rebels, scattered by Imperial aggression after the Death Star's destruction, had established a small outpost on the edges of Talay.

The mighty Super Star Destroyer Executor was clearly the flagship of the armada. Powerful enough to level the planet itself alone, its escort of six Imperial-class Star Destroyers was pure overkill.

Oddly enough, however, the Executor's purpose was not an offensive mission, but one of defense. The incredible array of firepower was silent as the mighty warship shadowed its charge.

The space cruiser Arc Hammer led the orbit around Talari. Longer and more slender than an Imperial Star Destroyer, the research vessel boasted a quad of powerful ion engines. Four long, cylindrical superstructures hung from the slender hull; their purpose was not immediately clear from a visual inspection.

General Rom Mohc smiled out the viewports from the bridge of the Arc Hammer. Talay laid defenseless below the mighty Imperial fleet. A single order from the Imperial officer would leave the city and, if he wished, the entire planet a smoking ruin.

The flotilla was enough to inspire fear, but the presence of one man made the task force terrifying, even to the General.

"The Emperor has approved your test demonstration, General Mohc," the deep, booming voice of the dark lord of the Sith stated.

"Thank you, Lord Vader," Mohc replied, drying his hands quietly on the back of his uniform. "What I unveil today will mark a new era for the Empire. We will be able to decimate the Rebels, just as we did the Jedi Knights. At last, the Emperor's war will be filled only with the glory and beauty of decisive victory."

The most feared man in the galaxy nodded. "A noble cause, General. I hope the demonstration lives up to your claims. Proceed."

Mohc smiled genuinely. "With pleasure." He flicked his comlink on, connecting him to the Arc Hammer's launch platform. "Dark Troopers, release."
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Read the New Jedi Order: Aftermath (Completed!)
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[Dartha Athanth]

Sounds interesting. Can't wait for more.
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Darsha Assant turned dark at 2734 posts.

[Kahara]

This is going to be a novelization of the story in one of those games? It looks good so far.

[MarcKal]

Yeah, what she said.
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"I am the lone one...I wander endlessly helping out the poor."
"I am the soldier...I want to run away...and stop killing."
"I am the assassin...I work for good...wiping away evil."
Three fates interact...
Three fates cross...
Three fates make...

The Tales of a Hero

[Amidala Skywalker]

Wow...awesome beginning XWO....I'm so excited that you can't stay away from fanfic!!!

I remember this game vaguely....we have it, but it no longer works on our computer. I will be looking forward to this story with great intrest!
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[xwing_original]

Smuggler's Run

Jan Ors gently settled the Z-95 Headhunter into an open berth. The fusial thrust engines powered down smoothly as her boards flipped red. Nodding in approval, the Rebel woman popped the aging starfighter's canopy.

The stink of the asteroid base wafted into the fighter's cockpit, causing the woman to wrinkle her nose. Kyle had better be here if I'm putting up with that smell, she thought. She rapidly unbuckled her flight harness and pulled her helmet off, allowing her long, dark hair to flow freely from its cramped quarters. She shook her head once, then vaulted over the side of the Headhunter to the rocky flooring below.

Jan nearly lost her balance when she hit the ground. The gravity on the asteroid was a bit lighter than what she was accustomed to, and being cramped in a Z-95's cockpit had done nothing for her circulation and balance. She reached out a hand and steadied herself against the Headhunter's long, slender nose, then uprighted herself.

A quick look around the cramped bay revealed a multitude of smuggler vessels. Light freighters of nearly every description were crammed in with only, in some cases, a quarter meter of clearance. It took only a few seconds, though, for Jan to spot the ship she was looking for. The Moldy Crow was parked between a battered YT-2400 Corellian light freighter and a heavily modified Cloakshape starfighter. As though there's any "stock" Cloakshapes left, she thought wryly.

After paying an exorbitant fee for berthing and refueling her starfighter, Jan headed deeper into the Smuggler's Run. Stepping carefully over channels of sluggish fluid which seemed to be the source of the stink, she headed for the source of the groans and cries of exultation that seemed to congregate around games of chance.

A few moments later, Jan emerged into the slightly brighter light of the Smuggler's Run cantina. Glancing around, she saw several games of sabacc in progress, as well as a jubilee wheel which was, at the moment, abandoned. Kyle was nowhere in immediate sight.

Sidling up to the bar, the woman pulled up a stool. The Duros bartender, taking note of the typical grey flightsuit used by many a smuggler and pirate who wished no affiliation, leered at her. "What can I get you, pretty lady?"

Jan's hand fell to the blaster on her hip, making no mistake about her feelings toward the bartender. "Corellian ale...in a clean glass."

The Duro nodded and quickly turned away. A moment later, he slapped a glass down in front of her and poured out a glassful. Apparently not wishing to irritate the armed woman, he quickly turned back to other patrons.

Jan smiled and traded a couple of credit coins for the glass on the bar. Drink in hand, she turned to survey the room again. Where are you, Kyle? She frowned as she tried to sort through the wildly sorted denziens of the hideaway. You really should pick better spots to frequent, she silently scolded the mercenary. Your contact could get killed in a place like this.

Finally, she spotted the young mercenary. The brown leather jacket, stripped of its Imperial rank and insignia, was distinctive among the less-than-human clothing which made up the majority of the dress in the room. Katarn was only half-visible in one of the small, dark alcoves that ringed the bar. He seemed to be alone, his feet up on the table in the center of the hideaway.

Jan finished her drink with one last swallow and slapped her empty glass down on the bar. The credits had long since disappeared. Her hand fell once more to her blaster to ensure it was secure yet accessible. Reassured, she stepped off the barstool and worked her way through the crowds to the alcove where the mercenary waited.

It took less than a minute to work her way through the crowd. While it should have taken much less, the crowd of smugglers, bounty hunters, pirates, and privateers were generally unthreatened by a single blaster. Still, no one tried to disrupt her, either, in spite of the leering looks the beautiful woman received from a few of the less-inebriated patrons.

Finally, she slid into the booth across from Kyle. A blaster pistol was already pointed at her head. The familiar outline of the Bryar almost made her bolt; while it was familiar, it was nonetheless frightening.

"Jan?" the familiar deep voice asked.

Jan nodded. "Yeah, it's me, Kyle."

The man leaned forward, Bryar dropping. Light slid across his features, highlighting the dark-haired, clean-shaved mercenary. His rugged features were lightly scarred, but he was unarguably handsome. His shift in movement also shifted his leather jacket, allowing Jan a peak of the grey composite armor vest he wore beneath it. "What are you doing here?"

Jan bit her lip. "We've got a problem," she said quietly. "Mon Mothma sent me here to get you. It's something we think we need you to fix."

Kyle frowned. "Why me?" he asked, picking up a glass that Jan hadn't seen before. From the smell, it was a strong Corellian whiskey. "You haven't employed me since Danuta."

"We don't have the resources right now," Jan replied uneasily. "We're kind of scattered right now."

"Since Yavin," Kyle commented, taking a drink from his glass.

"Since Yavin," Jan agreed.

"What kind of 'problem?'"

Jan hesitated a moment. "I'm not allowed to tell you. Mon Mothma clearly stated that she is the only one allowed to brief you on our situation."

"So, if I'm interested in a job, I need to come with you?"

Jan nodded. "Well, you'll need to rendevouz with the flagship. I've just got a Z-95 here. Not enough room for two. You'll need to bring your own ship."

Kyle nodded and gently set his glass down. "Sounds fine by me. You'll provide me coordinates?"

"When we're outside the Smuggler's Run," she agreed. "I can't give them to you here. Too much of a chance of someone eavesdropping."

"Fair enough. I'll meet you outside the asteroid field."

"See you there, Kyle," Jan responded. Rising, she nodded to the mercenary and headed back to the hanger.

Kyle drained his glass and waited. I'll give Jan a few minutes lead, then follow her out.

"Ah, the infamous Kyle Katarn," a voice murmured in gutteral Huttese. Kyle turned his head to look.

The Rodian's blaster was on his hip. Kyle relaxed slightly. "What do you want?"

"Only to know what your friend wanted. I understand that you sometimes work for the Rebellion."

Kyle snorted. "Once," he admitted. "Once, I did a job for them."

"Do you have any idea how wealthy one would be who could provide the location of the Rebel fleet?"

The mercenary snorted again. "Rest assured, if I knew where it was I'd just be racing out to tell the Imperials," he replied sarcastically. "I'm sure Darth Vader would pay so well."

"Perhaps you don't understand me," the Rodian stated calmly. "I want that location."

Kyle blinked, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation. He isn't alone, he realized. Sithspawn.

Smiling, the man picked up his glass again. "Sure, I'll get it for you," he said cheerfully. "A toast, to you and me."

His glass waving in the air as a distraction, Kyle's other hand slid under the table and tightly gripped his blaster.

"I'm not certain I believe you, Katarn."

"I wouldn't believe me, either." The Bryar roared. Reddish light flicked out from under the table. The first bolt caught the Rodian in the chest, sending him reeling backwards to the floor with a gaping hole where his lungs once where. The second shot caught his backup, a Weequay who had been pointing his E-11 at Kyle since the Rodian had confronted him.

Rising, Kyle holstered his Bryar. Most of the patrons of the bar hadn't even noticed. Kyle shook his head. Gotta love a place that doesn't care when you shoot someone and leave a mess.

He stepped over the Rodian's smoking corpse and headed out of the bar, back towards the hanger where his light freighter was resting.
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[Dartha Athanth]

Jedi Outcast?
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Darsha Assant turned dark at 2734 posts.

[xwing_original]

Nope, not Jedi Outcast. This is Dark Forces...the first game ever made with Kyle Katarn as a character.

Quick synopsis of Kyle Katarn games:

Dark Forces - between ANH and TESB. Pitted mercenary Kyle Katarn against an Imperial "Dark Trooper" project. Katarn was hired by the Alliance to investigate and shut down the project.

Jedi Knight - shortly after ROTJ (depends on which source you believe). Mercenary Kyle Katarn discovers his Jedi heritage and trains in the ways of the Force as he attempts to prevent Jerec and his six minions (Boc, Sariss, Maw, Gorc, Pic, and Yun) from tapping the vast power stored in the Valley of the Jedi.

Mysteries of the Sith - several years after Jedi Knight. Former Imperial assassin-turned-smuggler-turned-Jedi Mara Jade, dissatisfied with Skywalker's teachings, seeks out the now-famed Kyle Katarn for training. Katarn falls to the dark side, but is redeemed by Jade.

Jedi Outcast - five years (?) after Jedi Knight. Having let his abilities languish, the again-mercenary Katarn is driven back to the Force by the death of Jan Ors. He retrains as a Jedi and pursues the dark Jedi Desann across the galaxy.

That's just a quick synopsis...there's a lot more going on in every one of the games, and it's never simple. Again, this novelization is for Dark Forces, which takes place before Kyle is even aware of his Jedi heritage.
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[Amidala Skywalker]

Awesome update....I can tell you're a good writer when you make sitting at a bar and drinking Coreillan ale interesting.

Good job....can't wait for more!
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[Prophet K]

Jedi Outcast was a great game, though I havn't played Dark Forces, I have high expectations for any novel including Kyle Katarn. He's one of my favourite EU characters too.
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[xwing_original]

Amidala Skywalker - That's possibly the best compliment I've ever gotten on my writing. Thank you.

Prophet K - I hope I write up to your expectations. Make no mistake, though...this is going to be a darker fic. This is Katarn the mercenary, not Katarn the soft-hearted Jedi...
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[xwing_original]

Jan watched as the last of the red lights on the Z-95's status boards flickered green. Smiling slightly, she engaged the repulsorlifts and feathered the throttle.

The starfighter lifted smoothly from the rocky flooring of the asteroid base's hanger. As the woman ruddered the aging snubfighter around towards the exit, she caught a glimpse of Kyle heading towards the Crow. Her view was quickly obscured by the Headhunter's turn, and she focused on the task at hand.

The Headhunter cleared the magnetic containment field which kept atmosphere inside the hanger. Immediately, Jan was thrust into a swirling kaleidoscope of mismatched, pockmarked asteroids. Switching from repulsorlifts to sublight drive, she kept a light hand on the stick as the starfighter plunged into the tight array of space rocks.

The Crow was close behind her as she navigated through the asteroids. Jan marveled again at the difficulty of navigating the asteroid field. The Z-95 was swift and maneuverable compared to most smuggler vessels. She couldn't imagine someone flying into the Smuggler's Run in a bulk freighter. A larger ship, in her opinion, was not fast enough nor maneuverable enough to make the approach. Yet somehow the best smugglers in the galaxy did it all the time.

The Old Republic starfighter cleared the asteroids in good time. Jan powered down the drives and waited for the Crow to join her. As she waited, she calculated the jump needed to bring herself and Kyle to the small Rebel task force that was their rendezvouz point. Former Senator and now Rebel leader Mon Mothma herself was supposed to be aboard the task force's flagship.

Caught up in her musings and calculations, Jan started when the familiar, battered shape of the Moldy Crow filled her viewport. She smiled, though, at its smooth lines.

The Crow was a vessel that, as far as Jan could determine, was unique. She suspected it was a prototype of a freighter/starfighter hybrid that had never seen a production line. The vessel, which was best classified as an armed courier ship, consisted of a small cargo compartment and a cockpit big enough to sit three or four comfortably. The ship boasted four sublight drives, making it nearly as swift and maneuverable as Jan's Z-95. Well-armed with both laser cannons and missile launchers, as well as sporting military-grade shields, the Crow was a mean customer in a fight.

The comm crackled to life. "Jan, you got a jump plotted?" Kyle's familiar voice crackled over the cockpit's speakers.

"Sending you the jump data now," Jan replied, punching a button to feed her nav data into her comm unit.

Kyle was silent for a moment. "Got it. You coming with me, or heading elsewhere?"

"I'm coming with you. I'll meet you at the fleet."

"See you on the other side, Jan." The comm clicked and went dead as Kyle killed his transmission.

Jan watched for a moment as the Crow adjusted its heading, then began her own course adjustments. Before she had brought her starfighter in line for the jump, the Crow flickered with pseudomotion and was gone into hyperspace. A moment later, her Z-95 followed suit, leaving the Smuggler's Run behind.
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[Prophet K]

Nice update.

The thing that makes this all the better is that I can actually see Jan and Kyle having these conversations.
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[xwing_original]

Trust

The Z-95's military-grade hyperdrive was slightly faster than the Moldy Crow's bootleg motivator. Jan knew the courier vessel well, and estimated Kyle would be arriving about thirty minutes after her.

The Headhunter had emerged from hyperspace within twenty kilometers from the small Rebel task force. The Nebulon-B Escort Frigate Redemption was escorted by a quartet of Corellian corvettes and two Gallofree medium transports. The fleet itself was orbiting a rocky, uninhabitable planet known only by a survey designation, NX-877472. Like millions of planets, it was unexceptional, making a perfect navigational point for the elusive Rebel forces.

"Headhunter Ess-Oh-Nine requesting clearance for landing," Jan called across an open channel.

A moment later, one of the flight control officers on the Redemption responded. "Ess-Oh-Nine, you are cleared to land. Welcome back, Lieutenant Ors."

"It's good to be back," Jan responded, easing the old starfighter past the Redemption's hanger bay and allowing the Frigate's tractor beam to tow the Z-95 into its berth.

The old snubfighter settled easily into its docking slip as Jan extended the landing gear and ran through a brief power-down checklist. Before she had finished, two men in ragged uniforms with blaster rifles slung over their shoulders materialized beside the starfighter. As the system lights flashed back to red, Jan popped the canopy.

"Mon Mothma wants to see you immediately," one of the men said.

Jan nodded. "Lead the way," she replied, sliding from the cockpit and landing easily on the warship's decking. As the first man stepped out of the slip, the second gestured for Jan to follow. Jan complied after pulling her helmet off and shucking it back into the Z-95's cockpit.

As the trio of Rebels rapidly stepped through the corridors of the Redemption, Jan shook her head, allowing her hair to fall back and loosen up from the tight bundle it had become under her flight helmet. Slightly more comfortable, she watched the activities around her.

Dozens of wounded from the recent evacuation from Yavin were crammed into every nook and cranny the vessel had. The unofficial medical ship for the Rebel Alliance, the Redemption was pulling double duty as warship and hospital. As always, the Alliance was overtaxed and overstressed.

The walls and decking, too, were well-worn. The vessel was well past her prime, but the Alliance could not afford the luxury of new, expensive warships when older vessels were still operational. Though the Redemption was well past decommission age for an Imperial Navy vessel, she still had a few years of service left as far as the Rebels were concerned.

Finally, the military guard leading her stopped and stepped aside. Gesturing with his blaster rifle at an unmarked door, he flatly stated, "Through there."

Jan nodded. The door was sealed, but a quick retinal scan provided the Rebel agent access to the room. The guards stayed beyond the door as it hissed shut, sealing Jan into the room with the Rebel leader.

In spite of the weariness in her eyes and stance, Mon Mothma's very presence was inspiring to the pilot. The charismatic leader of the Alliance had weathered more than her share of war already, especially for a pacifistic Chandrilian, but her dark-haired beauty and white Senatorial robes offered a glimpse of the past, when the Senate was a leading power in the government, and a hope for the future.

Mon Mothma's warm smile strengthened Jan. "Lieutenant Ors, I'm so glad to see you made it back. Is Katarn coming?"

Jan nodded. "He'll be here within half an hour."

Mon Mothma nodded in response. "Jan, I need to ask you something."

"What do you need?"

The Rebel leader sighed. "I need to know that Katarn is reliable. I don't know enough about him to make that judgement, and up until now, I've trusted your judgement. I want to know, I need to know for myself before he arrives. We could very well be placing the fate of the Alliance in his hands. I cannot, as a person of conscious, do that without knowing that I can rely on him completely." She hesitated. "The fact that he is a mercenary and not one of us is not reassuring. I would be more comfortable if he joined the Alliance."

"That," Jan responded, "I doubt he'll ever do."

"Tell me, Jan," Mon Mothma said, a spark in her eyes. "Tell me what you know about him."

Jan suddenly felt the long hours in her cockpit catching up to her. "May I sit?"

"By all means."

Jan seated herself on one of the three small chairs in the room. "I understand why you and others in High Command could question his reliability, given his background as an Imperial and as a nonaligned mercenary. And while I understand that those who encountered him or lost loved ones to his operations while he was working for the Empire could harbor doubts about him, I believe it is his experience in the Empire that has turned him solidly against it and will eventually cause him to join the Alliance."

Mon Mothma seated herself in a chair across from the pilot. "How can you be certain?"

"I know him better than anyone else in the Alliance. He grew up on Sulon. Like a lot of our recruits, even, say, Skywalker and Darklighter, he came from a tight-knit agricultural community. He was very close to his father after his mother died. In fact, he absolutely adored his father. Kyle attended the Academy only to learn more to better follow his father's footsteps."

Mon Mothma nodded at that. "I can understand that. But how did he come to becoming a mercenary, and not an Alliance agent?"

"That's jumping ahead," Jan said with a smile.

Mon Mothma frowned. "We don't have a lot of time, Lieutenant."

Jan sighed. "I'll try to keep this brief. At the Academy, Kyle discovered he had natural talent in cybernetic systems theory and information engineering. Between his studies and some extra-curriculars like target shooting and martial arts, he had little time to worry about Imperial policy, and like many citizens in the galaxy, knew little about it.

"His student life shattered when he was informed by the Empire that his father had been killed in a Rebel attack on Sulon. He was pushed over the edge, however, when the Academy refused to grant him extended funeral leave."

Mon Mothma's eyes misted. "I remember the Imperial attack on Sulon," she whispered. "But why didn't Kyle investigate it?"

Jan shrugged. "He had no reason to doubt the Imperials. With a new-found hatred for the Alliance, he joined the Special Operations division of the Imperial Army. It was there that he learned...learned what the Empire's policies are.

"I didn't meet him until several years later. At the time, I was working as a mole and double agent in the Imperial Intelligence corps. The more I saw of him, the more I understood that his quiet competence was a veneer for the scars he carried from his father's death. Slowly, though, he was becoming disillusioned with the Empire.

"As our friendship deepened, I made sure that reports of the Imperial attack on Sulon found their way to his possession.

"The true test of our friendship, though, was when my cover was blown and I was arrested and imprisoned. I thought I would die in an Imperial detention facility somewhere. Instead, Kyle engineered an escape and got me out of Imperial hands and to one of our outposts.

"It was several days before he joined me there. When he finally did arrive, he refused to join us and instead headed off to the Outer Rim, where he fell in with pirates and smugglers."

"Which is where he learned sabotage and subterfuge," Mon Mothma mused. "The very people that made him so valuable to us also have made him unreliable."

Jan shook her head. "I don't believe he's unreliable. I knew, when we said good-bye, that he wasn't ready to commit to the Alliance. The way the Empire manipulated him so easily to their purposes hardened him against all causes. I do know one thing, though."

"What's that?" the Rebel leader asked.

"He may not trust the Alliance, but he will never forget what the Empire did to him. He may have saved my life and may be my friend, but his hatred for the Empire is what makes him reliable." Jan's voice broke. "It's the Empire's atrocities that are our best hope for recruits like Kyle."

Mon Mothma let the silence hang for long moments. Finally, she nodded. "Katarn will be here soon, and I'm going to brief him on what we know. If he takes the assignment, he'll probably ask for you as his partner. I still don't completely trust him, Jan, but I trust you." The eloquent senator reached out and laid a hand on Jan's shoulder. "Katarn may be our best hope for dealing with this project until we've established a new base. And you, I think, are our best hope for Katarn remaining reliable to us. Are you willing to work with him?"

Jan nodded. "Of course," she said immediately.

"Good." The exiled woman smiled. "Get yourself something to eat and clean up. If Katarn agrees, you are going to be in for a long mission, I think. Say your good-byes to your friends aboard the Redemption."

"I will, Mon Mothma." Jan smiled shakily at the woman.

"The hopes of the Alliance go with you, Jan," Mon Mothma said. "Good luck, and may the Force be with you."
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[Prophet K]

Nice update, it gives you some more depth into Kyle and Jan's relationship as well as build on Kyle's character for those who don't know so much about him.
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[Kahara]

The presentation of the back story is very well done, and the characters are interesting. Please post more.

[Amidala Skywalker]

More great updates...I continue to be impressed with your fluent and easy-to-read writing style.

Can't wait for more!
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[xwing_original]

Thanks, everyone, for the compliments and encouragement. It makes this worthwhile, even when the writing doesn't flow like I want and I feel like quitting.

Briefing

Kyle drummed his fingers restlessly on the armrest of the chair he slouched in. His jacket hung open, openly exposing the armor he wore beneath. In spite of protests from the Rebel guards charged with protecting Mon Mothma, his blaster was still snugged in its holster on his hip.

He rubbed a hand over the stubble starting to show on his chin again. He usually kept himself clean-shaven, one of the few disciplines instilled at the Imperial Academy that he still followed.

"Thank you, Commander Katarn, for responding on such short notice," a vaguely familiar voice called from behind him. The mercenary turned to see the graceful figure of Mon Mothma, still clad in white Senatorial robes, glide through the door and move towards the holoprojector in the middle of the large but empty briefing room.

Kyle merely nodded at the comment. "I'm surprised you haven't established yourself a new headquarters," he grunted.

"The Empire has been keeping us on the run since the destruction of the Death Star." She smiled. "I know you have little love for small talk, so I'll get straight to the point." When the mercenary nodded, she touched a control on the holoprojector. An image of a blue and green world sprang to life, rotating in the well of the projector.

"Five days ago, the Empire attacked a small Rebel outpost on the planet Talari, in the city of Talay. And...well, see for yourself."

The hologram of the planet vanished, replaced a moment later by a grainy image of a Mon Calamarian, often disrupted by bursts of static and zagging lines of interference.

"...anyone...there? Please, we...under...was no warning...broke through our shields! They broke through our...walls are breached...Please, we..."

Kyle's visage was unaffected by the hologram. He frowned, however, as strange sounds played with the hologram. An almost animal-like battle roar obscured some of the final words of the transmission before the Mon Calamarian was completely enveloped in static.

"Tak Base was destroyed within minutes." Genuine pain filled the Rebel leader's voice. "Many innocents in the surrounding city, as well as the Rebel staff, were killed in the attack."

"Interesting," he said noncommitally as he studied the frozen hologram. "This looks like it could be a normal Imperial attack...except for those sounds."

"Very perceptive, Commander," Mon Mothma complimented the mercenary. "We believe the sounds you heard come from a new type of stormtrooper: the Dark Trooper."

Kyle snorted. "A new type of stormtrooper that could take out a Rebel base that quickly? I shoulda kept working for the Empire."

"Rebel Command is not taking this lightly. I've been authorized to hire you to investigate the project, discover if it is a threat, and, if it is, to shut it down."

Kyle gestured at the frozen hologram. "How'd you come about with a name for these things?" he asked. "The Empire doesn't exactly brag to the public about its weapons. They managed to construct a battlestation the size of a moon without anyone being the wiser."

The frozen, staticky hologram dissolved to be replaced with a clean, crisp image of a man in an Imperial uniform.

"This man, Crix Madine, wishes to defect to the Alliance. He has been providing us what little information he can about the Dark Trooper project."

Kyle nodded briefly. He understood well the desire to leave the Empire. Some, he knew, would seek shelter with the Rebel Alliance.

"I can offer you the assistance of Lieutenant Ors in your investigations," Mon Mothma continued. She paused for a moment. "That is, if you're still on our side."

The mercenary was quiet for a long moment. "Double my usual fee?" When the Rebel leader nodded, he slowly did likewise. "Alright, I'm in."

Mon Mothma smiled at Kyle. "Then I'll let Jan brief you further on your objectives. Thank you, Commander, and may the Force be with you."

The mercenary snorted at her last proclamation, but was silent as he rose to his feet and headed back to the Redemption's hanger.
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[Prophet K]

Good update XWO. Why is it that Kyle always seems to get only double his usual on these missions? the thing I found funny about this chapter was that you didn't really mention Mon Mothma at all other than her guards even though that was who Kyle was speaking to.

Or at least who I think he was speaking to.
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[xwing_original]

I looked back over my post, and I'm pretty content with the way I wrote it. I don't like repeating a name much if I can use descriptors in place of it, especially "Mon Mothma." I haven't figured out how to break that one up at all, whereas "Kyle Katarn" can be "Kyle Katarn," "Kyle," or "Katarn." Plus add in descriptors like "the mercenary" and there's little need to repeat.

I think I used Mon Mothma's name enough...I think, anyways. Feel free to disagree.
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[Dartha Athanth]

How about Monny or MOth?
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Darsha Assant turned dark at 2734 posts.

[Jedi Kiara]

Hmmm I am liking this so far. Kyle in a way reminds me of Han... hehe!

This is really very interesting. Keep it coming.
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[xwing_original]

Darsha Assant-I don't think so.

Jedi Kiara-We'll just say Kyle's not quite as...good-hearted as Han. After all, Han shot second.

Planet-hopping

Jan glanced up from the Crow's controls in time to see Kyle striding easily across the Redemption's hanger. She waved, her smile hiding her uneasiness. While Kyle had just been briefed, Jan had been given the information two days earlier.

The Rebel agent forced herself to focus on the Crow's displays. Port side sublight is running a bit hot, she noted. I'll have to keep that in mind. Shields are running at optimal. Lasers are fine. Six concussion missiles loaded. Repulsors showing green. Fuel tanks are topped. Looks ready for our jump to Talari.

"How's she look?" Kyle called from two meters below.

"Looks pretty good," Jan called distractedly. "Nothing a crateful of credits you haven't earned yet wouldn't fix."

"What needs to be fixed?" Kyle asked, surprised.

"Well, with what you're going to take from this op, you could buy yourself a whole new ship, for starters," Jan teased.

Kyle's response was drowned out by the whine of an X-wing's repulsorlifts as the snubfighter launched on a standard patrol.

The little courier ship rocked a bit. Jan looked up and saw Kyle settling into the navigator's chair behind her own pilot's seat. "I take it we're going to Talari?" he asked.

Jan nodded. "We had a couple of those new A-wings recon the area. It's not a pretty sight, but the Imperials still have a presence in the area. They usually get sloppy after a big offensive like that, so Command is hoping they left behind some kind of evidence."

Kyle snorted. "Am I a mercenary or a detective?"

"Mercenary," Jan shot back, "which is why I'm here. Not everything needs to be shot or blown up."

"I don't have to destroy everything I see," Kyle defended. "Just anything Imperial."

Jan gave a long-suffering sigh. "Are you ready to go?"

"As long as my ship is, yeah."

"Alright. Here we go." She tapped the comm board. "Redemption flight control, this is independent vessel Moldy Crow, requesting clearance for departure."

A moment later, a staticky voice answered. "Moldy Crow, you are cleared for departure. Good luck, Lieutenant Ors."

Jan smiled a bit as she cut in the ship's repulsors, smoothly lifting the battered vessel off the Redemption's decking. She gently nosed the vessel forward, not daring to cut in the sublight drives until the Crow was completely clear of the hanger.

Once in clear space, she opened up the throttle, secretly thrilling in the acceleration of the tiny ship.

"Planet-hopping," Kyle murmured behind her.

"Just like old times," she said with a smile, although she knew he couldn't see it. She surpressed a shudder. Not really like old times. Last time he did planet-hopping was as an Imperial agent. She couldn't surpress the shiver running down her spine at the thought of how many members of the Alliance Kyle had killed during his time in the Imperial service.

The navicomputer beeped insistently at her, forcing the woman out of her momentary lapse. "It's too early to fall asleep at the stick," Kyle quipped behind her. "You'd better not be doing that when I need pickup."

Jan snorted. "I've slept through some of your pickups. Really, Kyle, a woman like me needs more excitement in her life." She reached forward and pulled a small lever back. The Moldy Crow flickered with pseudomotion, then was lost in the mottled blur of hyperspace.
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[Amidala Skywalker]

Their relationship is so interesting after seeing the two of them in the later games. They're very unsure about each other.

Good work! And I don't think you didn't use Mon Mothma's name enough...I understood perfectly and thought it was good.

This is great....can't wait for more!
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[John Skywalker]

Very thrilling read. I've played Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy, not much, and I remember playing DF on PSX. That was a pretty good game. Its a great read, and I love the dialogue between Kyle and Jan, very well done.
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Heathen Master of the Lords of Hate
KR: I'm like the freakin' Martha Stewart of Chaos.

[Jedi Kiara]

So now they're off eh? I wonder what sort of trouble they're going to find... *shivers*

Can't wait for more, XWO, you are an excellent writer, and you really make it come alive.
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[Prophet K]

The relationship between the two is very interesting. Though I find it a bit... cheesy when they figure things out between each other in Jedi Outcast. Good Update.
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[xwing_original]

Talay

The hop was, thankfully, uneventful. Jan spent most of the trip tending the Moldy Crow's controls to ensure the courier ship's smooth transit through hyperspace. Like most illegal ships operating throughout the galaxy, the Crow had its share of modifications. Because of those modifications, the little ship was, like most modified ships, a bit finicky. The fighter-sized freighter had yet to let down either Jan or Kyle in a pinch, though.

Kyle, on the other hand, spent most of the three-hour hop checking his equipment. The old modified Bryar was completely stripped-down, cleaned, re-assembled, and recharged to ensure its reliability. The mercenary also checked over his armor vest for severe damage, but it seemed fairly intact. His small headlamp was recharged and the glowbulb replaced. The man's weapon belt was quickly given a once-over with leather cleaner, too, to make sure it was supple and in good condition.

The Crow transited out of its first hyperspace jump at the very edge of the target system. Kyle did not question Jan's maneuver. He understood from long experience that she was scanning the system for any sign of Imperial warships. A hop directly to Talari could have ended with the courier under fire from a Star Destroyer. On their first mission together, Jan hadn't been so cautious and the Crow had nearly been captured by an alert Imperial patrol ship.

Jan finally nodded in satisfaction and engaged the short microjump to Talari. The jump took only two seconds to complete, leaving the little ship in high orbit over the planet.

"Got a fix on the city?" Kyle asked.

After a momenet, Jan nodded. "It isn't where Alliance MasterNav estimated it would be, but I've got a fix. I'm picking up at least one Imp transport on the ground down there yet, so we can't drop directly at the base."

"Where are you going to set us down?" Kyle asked as the Crow nosed downward into the atmosphere. The little ship shuddered as the air began to bounce them around a bit.

"I'm going to set you down on the outskirts of Talay. It looks like...there aren't any survivors down there. The city's empty, and it's nighttime there. You should be able to make your way across the city to the base. Hopefully you can find one of the computers still working and get some hard data."

Kyle nodded, absorbing the abbreviated briefing. The Crow's rapid descent slowed as the repulsorlifts whined to life. The little ship leveled off as smoothly as any hotshot X-wing pilot could manage. The repulsors whined louder as Jan cut back the sublight drives to settle the ship down into a shattered courtyard at the very edge of the city.

As Jan popped the cockpit to allow the mercenary out, Kyle flicked his comlink on and tapped the transmit button. The Crow's internal comlink popped loudly, drawing an approving nod from the mercenary. With another nod for Jan, he vaulted himself from the cockpit.

Surprisingly agile from someone as big and heavily laden as he was, Kyle rolled across the broken stone surface to absorb the shock of the fall. He raised one hand to Jan and watched with satisfaction as the Moldy Crow lifted away on repulsorlifts, blowing up a cloud of dust.

Kyle climbed to his feet and checked his blaster. Finding it secure in its holster, he unclipped the tie-down, checked to make sure the weapon was loose enough to draw, and started walking. I hope our drop didn't attract any attention, he thought.

It was too much to ask for. Distinctly, he heard a comlink click. "...is MK-472, I'm checking out the disturbance right now, over."

Kyle pressed himself against a stone wall in deep shadow. Fortunately, the night, only lit by a partial moon, was enough to hide him from the prying eyes of the stormtrooper as he scanned the area the Crow had vacated only a minute before. As the stormtrooper raked the area with the spot luma mounted to the underside of the E-11 blaster rifle, Kyle ducked spotted a small alcove and ducked into it. To his surprise, it was actually the base of a stairway.

Quickly ascending the stairs, he found himself on a long balcony overlooking the ruins of the city. At the very edge of his vision he could see glowing lights. That's gotta be Tak Base.

Unfortunately, as he began picking out a route through the wreckage, he was forced to concede a problem: the river.

A small river, too swift for an armed and armored man to swim, divided the city into two. There were two bridges spanning the water, but one of them had been shattered by the Imperial attack. The other was guarded by two pairs of stormtroopers, one at either end. The intact bridge was actually closer to the mercenary. To reach it, he would have to drop off the balcony two meters to another stone courtyard and cross thirty meters of open space to reach the first pair of stormtroopers. Suicide, he concluded. Which means I need a distraction.

Dropping to his belly, he slowly crawled across the balcony without the cover of darkness. By crawling, however, he managed to keep out of the line of sight of the stormtroopers.

Kyle spent a solid five minutes inching across the ten-meter-long balcony. Once he reached the cover of shadows, he stood and pondered his situation. "Jan, you there?" he muttered into his comlink.

"I'm here," his partner answered a moment later.

"What can you tell me about the city?" he asked.

Jan hesitated. "Not much," she said. "It's pretty typical for a fourth-rate colony world. Mostly agricultural economy with a little trade to bring in technology like droids and..."

"If this is a typical colony city," Kyle interrupted, "how was Tak Base powering its shields? Colony worlds don't have fusion reactors."

"Talay was running off a hydro-electric generator," Jan's tinny voice replied. "It turned out a lot of extra juice, so Tak Base could tap it and raise a shield."

"Damn," Kyle muttered. "I was hoping for something I could blow up."

"What did I tell you about blowing things up?" Jan asked sardonically.

"Yes, mother, I don't have to blow everything up." He pondered for a moment, glancing around at his darkened surroundings. "I wonder..."

"I wonder a lot of things, too," Jan quipped. "Like why you're talking to me instead of earning your credits."

"You're a tough employer."

"To deal with the likes of you, I have to be."

"Alright, I've got an idea. Stand by," Kyle muttered, clicking the comlink off and risking another look in the relatively bright moonlight.
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[Prophet K]

Why couldn't he blow something up!?!? NOoooOOOOOOO!

No, seriously good update.
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[John Skywalker]

You wouldn't just tease us with the thought of blowing something up, would you? That is just cruel and unusual punishment.

Indeed, it was quite good, and you get to deal with more of the inter-character development. Very well done.
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Heathen Master of the Lords of Hate
KR: I'm like the freakin' Martha Stewart of Chaos.

[xwing_original]

I dunno...this part doesn't really flow like I want...I can't seem to do it better, though. As always, I'll let you be the judge...

Talay (continued)

Finally, the mercenary spotted his target: the hydroelectric generator. He smiled briefly. I'm between the generator and those stormtroopers. Perfect.

He glanced across the walkway one more time, than turned and plunged down into the dark stairwell. Moving slowly to keep himself from falling, Kyle descended the stairs towards, hopefully, an exit below. Within moments, it was too dark to see. Deciding to take a risk, the mercenary reached up and flicked on his headlamp.

The stairwell immediately lit up, but the little lamp penetrated no more than four or five meters. Now easier to see, it only took Kyle a few moments to reach the bottom of the stairs.

The stairs opened into a community area. A quick look around yielded nothing worth scavenging, but Kyle did find a half blown-out door.

As he climbed through the wrecked portal, Kyle noted uneasily that he saw no evidence of multiple blaster shots. It's like one shot blew apart the whole door.

He emerged into the moonlight again and stood. A moment later he berated himself. That was stupid to leave my lamp on when I was climbing out. I would have made perfect target practice for a couple of trigger-happy stormtroopers. He reached up and flicked the light back off.

Kyle was forced to cross one more open courtyard to reach the edge of the river, but there were no cries of surprise or alarm. A moment later, he stood on the edge of the stone embankment and looked at the generator.

The generator was an unusual design: instead of a dam, blocking the flow of the river except where water was allowed through select pipes, this generator stood upright and allowed itself to be turned by the gentle flow of the slow-moving stream. The power conduits were all buried below the riverbed to prevent tampering.

However, the generator's massive turbine wasn't rotating. It's either jammed or shut down, Kyle noted. Perfect.

He backed up a few meters, than took a solid sprint and jumped. The armored mercenary almost didn't make it, landing in a sprawl atop the turbine. He shook his head, then climbed back to his feet to reach the control panels.

Shut off. What more could I ask for? With a grin, Kyle wrapped his hand around a lever marked Lock. With a smooth, solid tug he flipped it from locked to unlocked.

The generator structure itself shuddered for a moment before the massive turbine began to rotate. Immediately, a third of the streetlights in the city flickered to life.

Still smiling broadly, Kyle reversed his last jump and sprinted across the open courtyard back to cover. To his immense satisfaction, the four stormtroopers guarding the bridge raced past him to check on the power generator. Gotta love stormtroopers, he told himself. Loyalty and regulations over brains.

As soon as the stormtroopers were past, Kyle sprinted back to the now-clear bridge. A moment later, he was over the river and winding his way through the wreckage of the city.

Though he usually didn't allow himself to consider such things, he was shocked by the utter brutality of the Imperial attack. Corpses burned beyond recognition littered the streets and smoldered visibly in houses torn asunder by the mighty firepower the Empire had deployed. Entire walls had been reduced to ashes. Civilians, Kyle thought bitterly. Caught in the crossfire between the Empire and a stupid cause. Blast them!

The mercenary managed to avoid any more Imperial patrols until he reached the outskirts of the remains of the Rebel base. Like the city, holes had been blown through walls and mangled corpses littered the ground. It's like a bunch of TIE fighters came in and strafed the place, but there's no way TIEs could punch through a garrison's deflector shield. Whatever these "Dark Troopers" are, they sure pack a punch.

"You there! Let's see some ID!" The mechanically filtered voice caught Kyle by surprise. Cursing himself for a moment of inattentiveness, he slowly turned to face the white-armored soldier.

"You want ID?" Kyle asked, stammering a bit.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" the stormtrooper asked, stepping closer to threaten the mercenary.

Mistake, Kyle thought smugly. He lashed out with his foot, throwing the stormtrooper's E-11 out of line. In an instant he was too close for the Imperial to bring his weapon back to play. A quick uppercut knocked the stormtrooper's helmet clean off, and a follow-up blow sent the dark-haired human to the stone street with a loud thud.

Too loud, Kyle berated himself. Stupid way to give away your position and your presence. Scooping up the stormtrooper's fallen blaster rifle, he slung it over his shoulder and sprinted toward the wreckage of Tak Base.
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[Prophet K]

Good update. But you're right, this chapter just didn't have the flow of the other ones, unfortunately when your making a game into a book it usually happens somewhere along the line. Considering the game was made to be a game, so they make the journeys to objectives rediculously long and boring you're doing a pretty good job.
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[Jedi Kiara]

I didn't notice the non-flow you mentioned. I think it was great, very intense...

Do you really have to have Jan end up with Kyle? Or could a new character be introduced... like say... a red head named Kiara?
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[xwing_original]

Hmmm...it's been so long...have I driven off all my readers?

Story continues...


"General Mohc," a nervous voice called.

The aging General turned. "Yes, Lieutenant?" he boomed.

"The information you requested," the dark-haired young man said, thrusting a datapad out.

The General calmly took the datapad and scrolled down through the raw data. Statistics and numbers for a variety of experiments flowed across the flat screen. For long minutes the General examined the data, not allowing the nervous young lieutenant to retreat. "The Phase Two prototypes," Mohc finally stated, "seem to be much more effective in combat."

The lieutenant nodded. "That's the conclusion we came to as well, sir," he said. "We suspect the single-phase units simply are not as well-adapted as the two-phase units. The two-phase units have more time to adapt to the new structures. The process is more gradual, thus simulating growth. The one-phase units may, given time, become as effective as the two-phase units. However, it seems more time and cost-efficient to use the two-phase construction process."

Mohc nodded sagely. "Focus more of our research efforts along those lines. If they will bring better soldiers into combat more quickly, it seems wasteful to pursue the single-phase line. What's the status on the weapons line?"

The lieutenant gestured at the datapad. "The weaponry provided by Rebus seems to be the most effective. The unit equipped with Rebus's weaponry was the only group that managed to penetrate all the way to the core of the Rebel facility on Talay."

Mohc nodded. "The unit suffered three casualties, however. Where do we stand on the armor upgrades?"

"We're currently at a standstill for improvement," the young man said. "We are experimenting further, however. We may or may not stumble across a solution."

"Very good," the General said. "Very good. Continue with your research efforts as I have directed. I'll be down to inspect the new installment process in a while. Dismissed."

The young man saluted and spun with military precision. A moment later, he marched squarely out of the door of Mohc's office.

Fortunately, his military-trained posture kept his eyes forward and away from the cloaked figure half-hidden in the shadows of the corridor. The figure slipped a small listening device inside his cloak and, a moment later, melted away completely into the shadows and was gone.
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[Sadja]

I've always liked Kyle Katarn.. and also thought that he deserves more recognition than what he gets through the games. I will definately read through this story..

Oh and your writing is awsome
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I'm tired and I hate making people scream. It gets me down.

o_O :: to my lazy blog and profile :: o_O

:: Chiara Halat (Jari) in the RP ::

[Prophet K]

Enter Darktroopers... Can't wait for the next update
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[xwing_original]

Into the Breach

Kyle held his blaster high and ready as he sprinted through the hole in the garrison's wall. He noted uneasily that it appeared to have been melted straight through by weapons fire. An entire legion of stormtroopers couldn't just shoot their way through like that, and it looks like that was just one hit. His pace slowed as debris crunched underfoot.

Some of the base's lights flickered eerily as the mercenary swept the hallways with his Bryar, searching for any sign of an Imperial presence. While Kyle's actions had restored power to some of Talay, it seemed that the base was marginally functional at best. The gloomy recesses of the base seemed almost haunted.

Kyle felt a shiver run down his spine. While he was not superstitious and held nothing but contempt for those who were, he felt ill at ease in the surreal wreckage. Nothing should have been capable of this. Even the best droid army in the galaxy in the heyday of the Old Republic couldn't have just barged in like this, and I know what the Imps are capable of.

The mercenary slowly moved deeper into the wrecked facility. Faint moonlight flickered through the gaping holes blown in the ceiling. A complete stillness seemed to dominate the entire wrecked Rebel facility. The stillness of a grave.

Slightly unnerved, Kyle reached for his comlink. His hand was unhooking the device from his belt when his head caught up with him. Nothing to report, he chided himself. Just a dead base. What's gotten into you, Katarn?

His free hand dropped away from his comlink. One-handing his blaster, he slowly paced further down the darkened corridor. The mercenary was suddenly chargrined when he realized the nature of at least some of the debris underfoot: Burned bits of corpses. Tightening his grip on his blaster and steeling his resolve, he kept himself moving.

Out of a meter-deep pit burned in the corridor's wall a sudden shape hurled itself at the intruder. Kyle immediately threw himself hard against the opposing wall, blaster tracking his assailant. The attacker bounded down the hallway. The mercenary's pulse slowed and the pounding in his ears lessened as he realized his "attacker" was a harmless durni. The little fuzzy creature, an accidental import from Corellia, reproduced at a rapid rate that thwarted efforts at eliminating the alien creature from the environment.

Shaking his head at his own paranoia, Kyle finally smiled and pushed himself away from the wall. He managed one step further down the hallway when a hand reached from another pit in the wall and grabbed his ankle, sending him crashing to the charred floor.
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[Jaina Jade Skywalker]

w00t! Nice work dude...

... though did you really HAVE to leave a cliffhanger?
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[Jade Skywalkers FTW since August '03]
[J.net's Flirt Queen since July '04]
[Miss Demeanor/Official Love Slave of The Lords of Hate since '04]

[Prophet K]

Very nice....

Somehow, I love cliffhangers.... I'm a strange guy arn't I?
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[Dartha Athanth]

You prob just enjoy getting a heart attack.

[xwing_original]

Jaina Jade Skywalker- Of course! It ensures that my readers have to come back.

Prophet K- Don't think strange...just think different.

Darsha Assant- I was trying to portray how, even though Kyle isn't usually bothered by superstition, the absolutely unreal damage the Dark Troopers inflicted is bothering him. No base that's been invaded should have the kind of damage Tak Base has taken...E-11s don't blow holes in walls, for one.
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[xwing_original]

The Survivor

The mercenary rolled, breaking the hand's grip. An instant later the Bryar was leveled at the hand's owner.

Kyle nearly dropped his blaster in shock. His attacker was a Rebel soldier.

The human was barely recognizable as such. His left arm hung by shreds of charred meat and bone. His face was horribly grotesque--half of his face was reddened by heat, but the other half was unrecognizable from plasma burns. His clothing hung in tatters; some of it showed signs of fire. The flesh visible through the holes was blacked by intense heat.

"Who...are...you?" the man croaked. "Not...Imperial."

"Kyle Katarn," the mercenary whispered. "Easy, easy. What happened?"

The man shook his head slowly. "No...warning. None," he emphasized. He coughed hard and his good hand came away bloody. "No mercy," he whispered hoarsely. "Only...death."

"What happened?" Kyle repeated.

"They...broke through...shield," the other rasped. "New wea...pons. New armor." He coughed again. "Dark. Not like...stormtroopers." He swallowed hard. "Water?" he asked roughly.

Kyle shook his head. "I don't have any with me."

"I...die." The man was resigned. "Stop these...things. Stop...them." Clearly, the man's strength, such as it was, was fading fast. His breathing slowed and his words became even more labored. "Dark...Troop...ers. Death. Only...death."

"I need something," Kyle said desperately. "Something I can use against them. How did you fight back?"

The man slowly shook his head. "Can't...fight...them. Too...strong. Need...cannon...slow...them."

"Did you manage to stop one?" the mercenary asked.

The dying Rebel slowly nodded. "Used...proton...torpedo...close range."

Kyle bit his lip. That isn't much help. "What happened to the Dark Trooper you put down?"

"Still...hanger."

The hanger. Of course...they used an X-wing or Y-wing to shoot a torpedo at close range into one of those things. But if that's the only way to put one down... Kyle shuddered at the thought. "I'll be back for you," he said, rising to his feet.

The man shuddered. "Don't...I die..." The burned soldier coughed hard again, more blood leaking from his lungs. "Long...live...the..." He could not finish the phrase as another cough racked his body. A moment later, he shuddered as he exhaled for the last time.

Kyle bit his lip. Kneeling again, he reached out and closed the man's eyes. Then he rose again, holstering his blaster and bringing the E-11 back into hand. He concentrated for a moment, remembering the layout of the base, then resumed his stealthy walk with a destination in mind--Tak Base's hanger.
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[Sadja]

ooh durnies !

hehe anyway

I think you did the dying rebel soldier very well
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I'm tired and I hate making people scream. It gets me down.

o_O :: to my lazy blog and profile :: o_O

:: Chiara Halat (Jari) in the RP ::

[xwing_original]

The commando's careful, cautious pace took him to the hanger within three minutes. The devastation inside was even worse than the rest of the base.

The epicenter of the destruction seemed to be focused on the wreckage of a Y-wing starfighter. The bomber's massive twin drives still smoldered a bit against a hanger wall, where they had been throw. Transparisteel shards littered the floor, along with pieces of the R2 unit that had been assigned the snubfighter.

The durasteel decking where the torpedo had detonated was half-melted, blackened, and buckled. Kyle walked over to the pit scored in the metal, surveying the wreckage. Bryar in hand, he pushed aside chunks of metal, looking for any clue about the nature of these "dark troopers." After lifting aside a particularly heavy sheet of warped durasteel, he found the wreckage of the Dark Trooper.

The baradium explosion had punched through the creation's black armor, effectively disintegrating all its internal workings. Kyle frowned. I don't even know if that thing is some new war droid or a human-operated battle suit. Sighing in disgust, he dropped the durasteel sheet again, knowing he'd never be able to extract the entire Dark Trooper's body.

A glint of metal along the hanger's massive doors caught his eye. Still a bit nervous after his previous encounters, Kyle trained the Bryar on the glint. After a moment, he walked over to investigate.

The source of the glint was a massive weapon, too big for a stormtrooper to use. It weighed thirty kilos as the mercenary hefted it. Bingo. He dropped the purloined E-11, saving only the shoulder strap. He used the strap's magnetic locks to attach it to the damaged weapon, then threw it over his back. He staggered a bit under the load, but Kyle straightened quickly and brought his comlink back to his lips. "Jan, Kyle. I've got something here. Meet me at the extraction point."

"I copy, Kyle. Be there as soon as I can." Kyle flipped the comlink off and returned it to his belt when he heard an all-too-familiar shout behind him.

"Hey! You there! What are you doing?"

He spun awkwardly and dropped to one knee, Bryar firing. The first bolt when to the left as the heavy weight of the Dark Trooper weapon across his back threw him off-balance, but the second shot took the stormtrooper right in the dark visor. "Sithspawn!" Kyle cursed aloud, hauling himself back to his feet. He sprinted to the hanger door and hit the control. Miraculously, the heavily damaged blast door slowly split in the middle and began to open.

Panting in relief, the mercenary ran as hard as he could for the opening.
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[Dartha Athanth]

Wonderful descriptions. Love it.
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Darsha Assant turned dark at 2734 posts.

[xwing_original]

Bah...the great J.net crash caused my last post to disappear. Well, here you go, rewritten from scratch (since I write as I go, and since I wasn't happy with my previous post)!



The cool night air was sweet as Kyle raced through the night. Angry red bolts of coherent light followed him, trying to end his career. And my life. Firing blindly behind him with the old Bryar, he kept running awkwardly as the massive Dark Trooper cannon kept bouncing against him, upsetting his balance.

Still he kept running, determined to escape. "Stop!" he heard an officer shout, his voice unfiltered by a stormtrooper's helmet. A foolish order, Kyle reflected wryly. Like I'm stupid enough to stop and let them shoot me. He fired blindly in the voice's direction and was rewarded with a gutteral scream. Gut-shot.

The still-smoldering remains of Talay rose to meet him. More blastfire followed him as the mercenary tried to reach the rubble. A blaster bolt slammed into him hard. He stumbled, trying desperately not to fall. The grey heavy composite armor vest he wore under his jacket prevented the bolt from harming him directly, but the already off-balance commando nearly fell. Regaining his balance, he kept running and firing, hitting nothing but slowing the pursuing stormtroopers.

The wreckage of houses destroyed by plasma fire and explosives was strewn throughout the streets. Slowing slightly as he felt a bit more comfortable with the cover, Kyle looked hard. A moment later, he spotted a gutted house. Ducking into the gaping hole in the wall, Kyle crouched and raised his blaster. Looking down when he heard and felt a crunch under his shoes, he immediately felt sick. The remains of the house's previous owner were vaguely recognizable as humanoid, though further classification would require genetic sampling. Willing himself not to look down again, Kyle stared out the shattered wall, waiting patiently.

After several minutes, he rose again and exited the house, grabbing a small sporting blaster off the wall that had belonged to the house's owner. They've scattered to look for me. Oh, wait...no, they haven't. They know where I have to go.

The commando crossed the ruined city in the space of fifteen minutes, moving slowly and silently as he avoided the various patrolling stormtroopers to reach the bridge. As he suspected, the bridge was heavily guarded--a dozen stormtroopers guarded the structure. I've gotta cross that bridge to get back to the pickup zone. But how?

A smile crept across Kyle's face. What did my training officer say? "The obvious is easy to forget in a firefight." That, and "the point is to achieve your objective and get home alive." I'll do that, he vowed silently. Reaching up, he unclipped the headlamp he wore. Pulling it down, he examined the device briefly. Should work. It's got a timer.

Kyle crept along silently, avoiding detection, until he was about a hundred meters from the closest cover to the bridge. He clicked the headlamp's timer to five minutes. In five minutes that will light up and bring the Imps running. He checked the sporting blaster, ensuring it was charged. Smiling, he set the blaster for overload and set it down beside the headlamp and quietly moved back towards the bridge, always staying under cover.

He had only covered fifty meters when the headlamp clicked on, flaring brightly across the duracrete. "Hey! You there!" one of the stormtroopers shouted. "What are you doing?" The trooper calmly walked towards the headlamp, flanked by seven of his squadmates.

Only four left, Kyle thought, silently willing his plan to work.

Just as the stormtrooper picked up the headlamp to show his comrades, the sporting blaster detonated. Fire flickered out for five meters, melting plasteel armor and throwing several stormtroopers three meters or more to a hard landing on the pavement.

Kyle gripped his blaster tightly, rising to his feet. The stormtroopers left guarding the bridge swung their E-11s to cover the explosion, not seeing the running mercenary until it was too late.

The Bryar's first shot took the unfortunate trooper in the black visor, killing him instantly and sending his body into one of the other stormtroopers, knocking him down as well. The other two tried to bring their rifles to bear on Kyle, but he was too close. The Bryar fired again, this time burning through a white chestplate and the body beneath. Too close for effective fire, the mercenary swung the blaster itself at the fourth stormtrooper, sending him sprawling. Smiling tightly, Kyle grabbed one of the E-11s off the ground and jammed the weapon to suicide overload. He tossed it back down and ran across the bridge. A moment later, more fire flickered through the night.

The bridge, not built to sustain weapons fire, slowly dove into the cold, shallow waters of the river below, cutting off the Imperials from the mercenary.

"Jan, where are you?" Kyle asked breathlessly on his encrypted comlink as he ran towards the extraction point.

"Taking a nap. Are you done playing yet?" his partner's familiar voice called back.

"I think so," Kyle said, rounding the last corner and seeing the familiar lines of the Moldy Crow settling to the ground. The cockpit slid open, revealing the dark-haired pilot beneath.

"Here!" Kyle shouted, freeing the cannon from his back. That Sithspawned thing is heavy. "Take this!" He swung it up using the shoulder strap into Jan's waiting hands. A moment later, he pulled himself up into the cockpit and settled into the forward copilot's seat.

"In a hurry?" Jan asked from her pilot's seat behind him as the cockpit sealed again. "I'd like to see some of the sights. I've heard Talani has some beautiful wildlife."

"I'm sure you've seen durnis before," Kyle replied wryly. "And yeah, I guess I'm in a hurry."

"That's what's wrong with you men," Jan complained as the Crow rose into the dark Talani night. "You never want to slow down and just enjoy life."

"And that's what's wrong with you women," Kyle shot back. "You're always too slow for us to afford that time to slow down and enjoy life."

Jan just laughed as the little courier ship broke atmosphere. "We're clear," she said. "Imps were way too slow scrambling TIEs. We're gone." On cue, the Crow shuddered with pseudomotion and vanished into the nothingness of the blue-white mottled skies of hyperspace.
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Read the New Jedi Order: Aftermath (Completed!)
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[Dartha Athanth]

I didn't get to read the last post... but I'm sure this one was better!
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Darsha Assant turned dark at 2734 posts.

[xwing_original]

"General Mohc, we have a report from Talani," the deep, hoarse voice of Captain Tiul rumbled. The master of the Arc Hammer dropped a datapad with a clatter on the General's desk. "It appears we were infiltrated."

"Rebels?" Mohc asked, not turning away from the window.

"It doesn't seem to be. There was no cover from starfighter squadrons for extraction, for one. Unfortunately, we got no close scan on the agent's drop vessel, but it appears to be of freelance origin. It didn't match anything in the Talay garrison's database, either in terms of a ship's identification or even the make."

"A pirate vessel, then," the General muttered. "What did this agent accomplish on Talani?"

The captain's voice was strained. "We're uncertain at this time, General. It appears he or she entered the former Rebel base and, according to reports from the surviving stormtroopers, was carrying some large piece of equipment when the person in question escaped."

"'Survivors?' What do you mean, survivors?"

"The agent was, ah, particularly lethal. He managed to kill a full squad worth of stormtroopers before escaping."

Mohc finally turned away from the viewport. "One agent?" he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.

"Yessir," the captain stammered. "That's what was reported, sir."

"That," Mohc ground out, "will be all, captain. Dismissed."

Captain Tuil fled Mohc's oversized office, barely attempting to conceal his haste. Mohc sat down heavily in his chair.

It was probably some prototype equipment in the Rebel base, he decided. Something we didn't know about and overlooked when we overran it. Sloppiness on the part of my troops. I'll have to ensure that it won't happen again. He poured himself a glass of Varasian brandy. It's troubling, however, that one man could have done so much damage and escaped unharmed. He must've been a professional of some kind.

If he crosses my path again, I'll have to ensure that he does not escape. No sense spending a large amount of resources looking for him, as it's probably just coincidence, but the galaxy is far too small for my liking. No, if I happen to find him, he's dead. The General raised the brandy to his lips. Though, of course, he would be no match for my Dark Troopers.
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Read the New Jedi Order: Aftermath (Completed!)
Read Dark Forces (In progress)

[Prophet K]

Nice updates, XWO. Think you can get another update for New Years?
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[xwing_original]

"See this marking?" Jan asked, tracing a small circle insignia engraved in the damaged cannon. "That's the trademark of one Moff Rebus, an Imperial weapons designer."

Kyle nodded slowly. Jan had taken apart the damaged cannon, searching for any clues or new technology she could use. The weapon had been too badly damaged to reverse engineer, but a dented, scorched piece of casing, after the carbon had been stripped away, yielded the engraved symbol that the Rebel agent now traced. "What do you know about him?" Katarn asked.

Jan shrugged. "Not a whole lot, but the Crow's computer had an entry on him. According to Intel, he set up shop pretty recently on Anoat. I'm surprised at how current the data is actually."

The mercenary frowned at his partner. "What do we know about him as a person?"

"Paranoid," Jan answered dryly. "His workshop is somewhere in an elaborate sewer system. He doesn't trust the living, so he's guarded completely by combat droids."

"Great. Droids."

Jan shrugged. "They're predictable."

"And have no fear," Kyle shot back. He sighed. "How much time do I have before we arrive at Anoat?"

"Eight hours," Jan replied. "You've got time to get some sleep if you need to."

Kyle nodded. "There's gotta be a better way to make a living," he complained wearily. "I'm getting too old for this mission-hopping stuff. I should retire."

"Like you'd be content retired."

"Sure!" Kyle said. "I could find some nice little backwater ag world, settle down, get myself a farm..."

Jan snorted. "Like you'd go out quietly. C'mon, you know you love firefights, explosions, and hot extractions."

"Well, explosions, maybe," Kyle said, considering.

"Get some sleep," Jan said with a laugh. "I'll wake you up when we get to Anoat."
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[Amidala Skywalker]

That was great...loving the Jan/Kyle dialogue and brilliant descriptions.

If Kyle retired, he'd definately not be "a content old man".
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[Sadja]

*tries to picture Kyle Katarn all retired and sitting on the front porch of a farm building gazing over his property*

*blinks*

*shakes the thought off quickly*

No way!


More?
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I'm tired and I hate making people scream. It gets me down.

o_O :: to my lazy blog and profile :: o_O

:: Chiara Halat (Jari) in the RP ::

[Jedi Kiara]

I really need to get caught up in this story, lover boy!

But in the mean time, why don't you post some more?!!!!!!
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[Jedi Kiara]

Ok I'm caught up, and in suspense... more would be very much desired!!!!!!!!

I am still amazed that you write as you post, boy! You are so talented you make me sick!
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[xwing_original]

The slight shudder of the Crow entering atmosphere awoke Kyle. "We're here?" he asked without moving.

"Yep, thought I'd let you get a little extra sleep...seeing as how you're so old," Jan replied dryly.

"Got anything more useful for me?" Kyle asked, yawning.

"Not much," Jan said more seriously. "I did some more checking, though, and what I've told you should be accurate...just droids guarding the place. No organics."

"Any information on what kind of equipment I'll be facing?" the mercenary mumbled as he struggled to pull his leather jacket on over his armor chestplate.

"Don't have much," Jan responded distractedly as the Crow shuddered, buffetted by a wind gust. "Seems he acquires most of his gear directly from the Empire, so you can expect some probe droids or those small interrogator units...he's some kind of weapons genius, so they'll probably be equipped pretty heavily."

"I don't suppose, uh..."

"What?"

"Any chance he's not, uh..."

"What is it, Kyle?"

"Do I still have to go wading through a sewer?"

Jan laughed. "'Fraid so. I'll make sure I've got the decontam shower warmed up when you get back."

Kyle shook his head. "So I'll have to drag him out through the sewer...great. Just great."

The Crow lurched and Jan swore under her breath. "Getting a bit sloppy, aren't you?" Kyle asked.

"Naw, just making sure you're all woke up for your mission," Jan replied dryly. "Can't have you sleeping on the job."

"I thought you were letting me nap."

"Yeah, but now it's time to actually get up and work. Lazy bum...are you always this lazy?"

"Most of the time I get to sleep more...I hire better pilots than what the Alliance gives me."

"You get what you pay for." The Crow inverted, giving Kyle a clear view of the ground not so far below.

The mercenary swallowed. "Uh, Jan?"

The woman laughed. "See, you should give me a raise." The courier vessel's sublight drives abruptly died, leaving the ship in near silence for a moment as Kyle held his breath and Jan smiled. Only the rush of wind over the hull broke the silence.

As the Crow began to fall, Kyle began mumbling something. Jan suspected he was cursing in a variety of languages, especially after she picked out a particularly nasty Rodian term. Jan's smile never faded as she watched the altimeter drop. With a hundred meters to spare, she finally flicked a switch on her controls. The repulsorlifts whined to life, slowing the ship's descent.

"Do you enjoy torturing me?" Kyle asked, his voice unsteady.

"I'm just practicing," Jan answered cheerfully. "Almost there."

The Crow settled into a small courtyard three kilometers outside Anoat City at the main sewage control facility. The entire facility was automated; no sentients were in sight to see the ship's descent. The droid operators, programmed only to respond to problems with the sewage treatment facility itself, raised no alarms at the ship's arrival.

"Anoat City Sewage Treatment Plant, please line up for debarking. Luxury class passengers first, please," Jan announced in her best stewardess voice as the Crow's canopy rose, admitting the foul stench of untreated sewage.

Kyle shook his head. "Not the smell I needed after that landing." He sighed, buckling his Bryar into place again and vaulting out of the ship's cockpit and onto the duracrete courtyard. He landed unsteadily, falling to one knee before rising to his feet with a hand against the ship's hull for stability. "This ought to be fun."
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[Jedi Kiara]

OOoooh lucky Kyle gets to wade through the sewer! LOL!

That's just really quite yucky.
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[Sadja]

oooh.. STINK!

poor Kyle... ah well, one can't be picky on those jobs, huh?

Good writing!
_________________

I'm tired and I hate making people scream. It gets me down.

o_O :: to my lazy blog and profile :: o_O

:: Chiara Halat (Jari) in the RP ::

[xwing_original]

Jan smothered a laugh as Kyle gingerly stepped into the thick sludge. Sealed back inside the Crow's cockpit, she breathed clean, filtered air. Because her comlink would transmit any conversation-level noise she made, she kept her laughter to herself. I don't think Kyle finds this near as amusing as I do.

"Alright, Jan, I've got a remote link set on the controls. Do your magic."

Jan smiled as her main screen lit up with data flowing in from the remote computer tap Kyle had placed on the computerized sewer controls. She stroked her chin as she studied the data. "Alright, got it. Find sewer grate Eye-One-Three. I'll open it up, along with the other gates you'll need open to get to Rebus's hideout."

"You can't be telling me Rebus let his hideout be marked on a map," Kyle replied incredulously.

Jan laughed. "You really think a paranoid would give us a map?"

"No," Kyle replied, "which is why this isn't making sense."

"There's a power exchange coupling that's drawing a lot more power than any other coupling on the system. He must be drawing his power there, so that's where he'd likely be set up."

"Makes sense," Kyle grunted. "Alright, I'm at the grate. Open it up."

"What's the magic word?"

"Now."

"You always have been such a polite mercenary. Your wish is my command." Jan tapped a button on her console and watched as the red bar on the schematic indicating the grate turned green. "There you go. Just tell me when you get to the next gate."

"Will do."

Jan leaned back in her pilot's seat contently as she watched the system readout playing over the Crow's monitor. Her eyes were half-lidded as her thoughts drifted back to the Rebel fleet and the words Mon Mothma had said to her and the images she had seen from Tak Base. I'm glad Kyle was the one that went in and retrieved that weapon. I don't know if I could've handled all the...things...he saw.

"Uh, Jan? I've got a problem here."

Jan snapped back to full awareness. "What's that?"

"I'm hearing something moving nearby. Sounds like light-duty repulsorlifts. Any idea what it could be?"

"No," Jan replied as she studied the schematic again. "I'm not picking anything up."

"Well, there definitely--" Kyle's voice was cut off by the razor shriek of blasterfire.

"Kyle? Kyle? Kyle?!" Instead of a response, however, all Jan could hear was more blasterfire and the hiss of liquid vaporized by the intense heat of blaster bolts. "Kyle, what's going on? Kyle?!"
_________________
Read the New Jedi Order: Aftermath (Completed!)
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[Dartha Athanth]

U'd better not kill Kyle. But injuring him bsdly is okay...
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Darsha Assant turned dark at 2734 posts.

[Sadja]

What she said...! But we all know he won't die. So, what actually *is* going to happen now, hmmm? C'mon.. update.. update..

.. as Kyle has put it so nicely and straight to the point...

Now

Hmmmmmm.. what a sweet little magic word.
_________________

I'm tired and I hate making people scream. It gets me down.

o_O :: to my lazy blog and profile :: o_O

:: Chiara Halat (Jari) in the RP ::

[Amidala Skywalker]

Great work, XWO. This story is so awesome...

The strange thing is, it's been literally years since I've played this game, yet as I read this story, all of the old missions are coming back to me.

More?
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[Jedi Kiara]

Oh no! You had better not let him die or anything!!!!

That would be a pretty crappy place to croak, wouldn't you say?
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[xwing_original]

Er...oops? I've been swamped with classwork lately...three literature classes was a bad idea.

This is a short post, I know, but I wanted to let you all know I'm not dead.

Story...


An explosion, though tinny on the comlink, drown out all other noise for a moment before silence prevailed. Jan stared at the little device for a moment. "Kyle?" she asked again evenly.

"Yeah, I'm here."

"What was that?"

"Apparently Rebus really doesn't like visitors."

Kyle nudged the shattered durasteel hulk of the droid. "What was it?" Jan asked again.

"Probe droid, Imperial, military gear," Kyle said, for once completely serious. "Any chance you can tell me where they're going to be?"

After a few moments, Jan's reply was negative. "Sorry, but no. They're not drawing power from the grid, so I can't isolate them."

"Great," Kyle muttered, returning his comlink to its hook inside his jacket. "Just great. Not only do have the stench, I've got droids, too. What's next? A bunch of thugs that Rebus decided to hire in spite of his paranoia about the living?" Sighing, he stepped into the slow-moving sludge of sewage again, Bryar held steady in preparation for any sudden attacks.
_________________
Read the New Jedi Order: Aftermath (Completed!)
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[Prophet K]

I havn't reviewed in a while have I? Well, I'm all caught up, and I have to say good job. The only thing I don't like is how short this update is
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[Jedi Kiara]

Glad to see that you are still posting, XWO!!! A very short update, but at least we know that Kyle is ok.
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[xwing_original]

Kyle sighed again as he trudged through the heavy muck. His stomach has finally settled, though he dreaded the thought of trying to get the stench out of his jacket and trousers. His boots he had decided would best be vaporized by a quick blast of a laser cannon. Why did I ever let Mon Mothma talk me into this? Isn't the life of a mercenary supposed to be exciting with far less...stink?

His thoughts were interrupted by a heavy durasteel grate. Sighing, he lifted his comlink to his lips again. "Jan, open up."

"Yes, sir!" she called back cripsly. The gate slowly rose, accompanied by the squeal of rusted machinery.

"Thanks," he muttered, clipping his comlink back inside his jacket. Lifting his Bryar again, he stepped through the opening and into a larger chamber.

The chamber was high with arched ceilings. A variety of pipes, ranging from the size of a blaster bolt to a couple large enough to admit a speeder, all fed into the chamber. The sludge was knee-deep and slowly moving into one particular pipe which presumably led to a river. The Empire ain't much for environmental care, Kyle mused. Or maybe it's wrong to blame the Empire...it doesn't really exist out here.

Other than Rebus.

A heavy thunk forced his thoughts back to a more relevant line. What was that? Blaster gripped a bit tighter, he reached into his jacket to retrieve his comlink again...

...when a single eyeball popped up through the muck, surveying him. Kyle swore. Dianoga! He snapped a quick shot off, but unnerved as he was, the shot went wide, vaporizing a bit of sewage into a foul-smelling vapor. The mercenary tried to steady his aim, but a tentacle wrapped around his leg and pulled.

Kyle splashed down into the sewage, swearing constantly now as the dianoga began to drag him forward. The creature's massive mouth rose above the muck as it dragged him forward.

The mercenary squeezed the Bryar's trigger again, but no shot emerged from the barrel. Jammed! A moment later, a familiar voice, though tinny, emerged from his jacket: "Kyle? What's going on? Kyle, I'm getting a strange reading from your location. Kyle?"

Running out of time, Kyle's hand dipped to his belt again, freeing a fragmentation grenade. Smiling tightly, he tapped the detonator to one second and threw it forward. He aimed for the creature's mouth, of course, but in the heat of the moment he had thrown too hard. The grenade wizzed past the dianoga's maw and splashed into the sewage behind it. A moment later, the grenade detonated.

The dianoga screeched in pain and released the mercenary. Kyle immediately tried to roll away, though the movement was less-than-effective in the heavy sludge. A moment later he was on his feet, his smile slightly more genuine. The dianoga thrashed its tentacles about, throwing up globs of gunk which stuck to the walls and ceiling. The mercenary's smile was more genuine as he leveled the Bryar at the creature, its barrel clear of the thick glob of sewage which had triggered the weapon's failsafe. A single blaster bolt sizzled into the creature's open maw.

The dianoga whined one last time, then slumped down. Kyle sighed. I'm never gonna get this stink off my jacket now, he thought ruefully. As the tinny tones of his comlink filtered through the fog of battle, he reached into his jacket. Better answer that. "Hiya, Jan. Nice of you to tell me about the dianogas in the sewer."

"Dianoga?" Jan sounded puzzled. "I'm reading a new power signature...it's almost on top of you."

A reddish blaster bolt chipped out a chunk of stone above Kyle's head. "Yeah, I see it now," he said. "Let me call you back." Ignoring the pilot's repeated hails, he jammed the comlink back in his jacket and opened fire on the intruders.
[/i]
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[Sadja]

on the intruders, eh? isnt he the intruder eh?

hehehehe.. muck! oh yuck!

but you know what, I'm feeling terribly sorry for Jan who has to sit next to him in on the flight out of there...!

Great writing!
_________________

I'm tired and I hate making people scream. It gets me down.

o_O :: to my lazy blog and profile :: o_O

:: Chiara Halat (Jari) in the RP ::

[Dartha Athanth]

lol... someone gives her a clothes peg!
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Darsha Assant turned dark at 2734 posts.

[Prophet K]

Kyle's getting down and dirty with the dianoga.
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[xwing_original]

The newcomers to the fight sprayed blaster bolts high and random in an obvious attempt at suppression fire. Kyle's return shots caught both battle droids high in the chassis, sending them down with a thick splash into the gunk. He watched until they faded under the black flow, then holstered his Bryar. Stepping atop the two sunken droids, he hoisted himself up onto the duracrete ledge.

His comlink was still beeping for attention. "Yes, Jan?" he answered.

"How did you know it was me?" the tinny voice asked.

"Well, it was either you or the local Imperial recruiter, and I figured calling him Jan would throw him off," the mercenary quipped. "Now where am I going?"

"Uh...according to the Crow's computer, you're in the middle of nowhere. There's no passage there."

"Excellent," Kyle returned. "That mean's I'm on the right track."

"That, or the fast track to a trap."

Katarn shrugged, even though his controller couldn't see him. "Wouldn't be the first time, probably won't be the last."

As he walked further up the massive pipe the droids had used, his comlink began to fizzle out. "Jan? Are you there?"

"...bare...you. Be....ful."

Kyle shrugged and thumbed his comlink back off, sliding it into his pocket and drawing his blaster again. Weapon at the ready, he marched steadily up the darkened passage, hoping that, for once, he really wasn't walking into a trap. Seems pretty obvious for a trap. That means it's not a trap, right?

The passage ended abruptly into an open chamber with a heavy door inset into the east-most wall. A quick glance told him it was magnetically sealed. Smiling, he reached for a shaped baradium charge. Magnetic seals are easy to deal with. Just have to use the right tools. He had barely unclipped the explosive from his belt when the door began to hiss open. Ever so slowly, it began to retract into the sealing.

Through the door, he began to hear a deep thrumming sound. Rhythmic in nature, it didn't have the same cadence as a battle droid marching into combat, nor the steady, quiet whine of a probe droid's repulsors. Kyle frowned as he concentrated on the sound. I can't quite place--

The thought was interrupted by the passage he had used to find the chamber abruptly sealed itself shut with another magsealed door. Cursing, Kyle gauged the growing thrumming from the passage with the time neccessary to blow a sealed door. Deciding time wasn't in his favor, he drew his blaster again, searching the room for any cover he could use to protect himself. It only took a moment to decide the room was useless for that--a raised catwalk surrounded the room's main feature: a half-meter deep pool of sludge.

Resigning himself to a straight-up fight, he aimed the old Bryar at the only open portal with a solid two-handed grip, determined to at least get the first shot at whatever was making the noise.

Just before the source of the noise revealed itself, Kyle's heart sank with recognition as he finally pinpointed the steady and growing noise. Oh, Sithspawn. I hate Clone Wars relics. Before the newest assailant could enter the room's dim light, he opened fire.
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